Originally Posted by CanoePam

They are very easy! Take a piece of fabric that is 15-18" long for each placemat you want plus another yard or so for binding. Cut the fabric in half, long ways (reserving the fabric you will use for the binding). That will give you two long pieces of fabric, each about 20" or so wide. Layer the fabric with batting (I use warm and natural because it washes so well). Quilt as desired. I would recommend a simple all-over design - meanders, stars, leaves, pumpkins, etc to make it easy. Measure the length of the complete quilted sandwich since it will have shrunk some in the quilting process. Cut the placemats out based on your measurements. I like mine around 15x20 or so. I then serge the edges of the placemats, just to make it easier to handle. Totally optional if you do t have a serger. Then bind with whatever method you generally use. I use straight binding (not bias) and miter the corners, just like a quilt. Remember these will be washed frequently so a machine-sewn binding is quite appropriate.

I have made a lot of these, and they wash up beautifully! My son is still using some I made 4 years ago, but the edges are getting a little worn. Note these will shrink up more the first time you wash them, so make them good sized.

Pam